Fwd: paryabekhyak article on 25th July both in PDF and jpg format

[ACHYUT DAS]

WHAT IS THIS EDUCATION POLICY? SCHOOLS ARE GETTING CLOSED!

Dear Friends, Please find attached my latest article published today in Odia Daily Paryabekhyak which is an expression of protest against the Government of Odisha’s decision to close schools which has student enrolment less than 15. This order is the third in the sequence as initially the schools which has enrolment of 5 and then 10 were closed before. This is a complete violation of the provisions of the Right to Education Act. Besides, the so called slogan on Inclusive Education remains as empty words.

One report says that so far 765 schools have been closed in 28 districts with Rayagada topping the list with 121. Next comes Kandhamal with 90 schools. Both the districts are tribal dominated districts and these decisions are indicative of the mindset of the Government. So far 5171 children have been affected by the closure process and more will be affected once the schools with lea than 15 are closed. Where these children gone? The Government gives a statement some are enrolled in the schools 3-5kms away while some have gone to residential schools. The first choice is a blatant violation of the provisions of the RTE. The second choice is a wring choice as all residential schools are not cost effective and badly managed. These days, the Social Media is full of facts and figures against a well-established residential school for the tribal children in Bhubaneswar where the children are studying in terrible conditions being subjected to malnutrition, unhygienic environment and exploitation! No tribal child is ever happy being away from home, hearth and the tribal ways of life!

Before closing the school, was there any proper consultation with the School Management Committee or the Village Panchayats? Was there as strategic analysis to justify the closure of the schools? I have visited several villages where the schools have been closed. There is widespread resentment despite assurance of the authorities.

Has there been any protest? Some Civil Society Organisations have raised question about the Government policy of closing the Schools but it has been very feeble. Has the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) intervened? Has anybody gone to the Court? Has this been debated in the State Assembly? Has the Government of India and NCPCR intervened? We have very little answer to cheer up!

The Government is losing an opportunity of meeting the challenges to project pro-poor and pro-tribal image by running the school regardless of poor school enrolment, inaccessibility, wrong cost-effective analysis and other prejudices. The Government would have taken pride that every child is provided education under RTE!

 

The New Education Policy 2016 is under discussion. Hope the Government, the CSOs, the Policy Makers and the Political Leadership will ensure that no school is closed even if there is only one student is enrolled.

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Achyut Das
Director
Agragamee
Kashipur -765015
Rayagada Odisha
India
Phone: 06865 285149/0674 2551123
mobile: 09437073588
Fax: 0674 2551130
e-mail: achy...@agragamee.org/achy...@gmail.com
Blog:http://friendsofkashipur.blogspot.com
website:www.agragamee.org

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